Elena’s POV

The lobby of the Fairmont felt too quiet after the noise of the road. Cool air moved across the marble floor. Soft voices drifted from the seating area near the windows. A couple rolled their suitcases toward the elevators. Everything looked ordinary. Nothing about it matched the last hour.

Samantha stayed close as we crossed to the reception desk. The woman behind it looked up with a practiced smile.

“Good afternoon. Checking in?”

I cleared my throat. “Not exactly. Someone left something for me. Elena Bennett.”

The smile stayed in place, but something shifted behind her eyes.

She typed.

Looked at the screen longer than necessary. Then she...